Rights Respecting School
Stamfordham Primary holds the Level 2 Rights Respecting School Gold Award - this is the full award! What this means in practice is that we are committed to placing the values and principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of our ethos and culture to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. The best interests of the child are a top priority in all our considerations.
A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practiced, respected, protected and promoted. At Stamfordham First, the Rights of the Child are integrated into learning across the curriculum, so that children develop their understanding of how the notion of rights has developed, why governments came together to agree on a set of rights, and how children’s rights are respected and/or neglected across the world today. We also ensure children’s participation in all aspects of school life by listening to children’s views and including them in decision making; from organising a charity day, to choosing new playground equipment or reviewing a school policy.
The result of such an approach is that children develop an awareness of global issues alongside an improved sense of security and confidence, which allows them to take the next step in advocating the rights of children everywhere through campaigning and raising awareness.
Being a Rights Respecting School also shapes our behaviour management. At the beginning of each school year, every class draws up a class charter which consists of a number of agreed rights and also sets out how adults and children will respect these rights.
Key to the promotion of rights at Stamfordham Primary is the role of the Rights Ambassadors. Children in from Reception to Year 6 can apply to become a Rights Ambassador each year, and those chosen help to guide the school in its work towards fostering a sense of community, respect and responsibility which encourages children to be active and informed citizens, who look to develop a positive future for all.